1999 Coolant Reservoir Empty!

[JJohnson]

My 1999 CHEVY Suburban 1500 temp gauge has been jumping into the red for the past couple of days. It usually goes back down, but I decided to check the coolant reservoir. It was bone dry. I added Prestone Dexcool approved to the reservoir, but it's still jumping up to red. Anything else I can try? I'm a little auto-challenged. Should I be adding coolant to the radiator itself? Help.

JJ

[alamo2001]

Johnson,

I also have a 1999 K1500. I had a similar experience over a month or so. Temp gauge would go way up, not to boiling and then drop down to normal quickly. The AC was also acting up. I was towing my Airstream on a country road and it overheated. A nice mechanic replaced the thermostat, temp sending unit, and all hoses for 900 dollars. He stated that the problem was most likely a top off of the incorrect coolant by a Jiffy Lube or Walmart oil change.

I now have a new radiator and green coolant. The plastic radiator housing cracked. My AC now works and it runs cool.

Tony

[JJohnson]

After I posted, I checked the radiator...completely empty and the reservoir level had not changed after running the vehicle. I wonder where my coolant is going. Hmmmm... Anybody had particular problems with coolant leaks?

JJ

[alphalanos]

most likely one of your hoses is either punctured or otherwise loose. it could also be a valve. have a technician look at it right away.

[IFallsRon]

Check for leakage on the side tanks. I had a small crack on the driver side that took me a long time to track down. It didn't seem like I was losing much coolant but I'd always have a small stain and there was coolant along the crimps on the radiator. I pulled the radiator and a local radiator service replaced the tanks for under $100. New radiator would have been around $250.

[lmnmarang]

I dont know if you have the 5.3 or 5.7 in that model(can't remember) but if it's a 5.7 check your intake in front and back if it's a 5.3 check your waterpump at the gaskets (very prone to leak)